How do you know when you ready to start switching stance?

Seems most boxing and kicboxing coaches i have trained with seem to say that you have to train one side only, consistently. In karate they say train both sides, though it isn't a forced practice, so i noticed everyone has one side they train more than the other, myself included.

I have noticed that now that I am more experienced training and sparring hard, now that I have a more refined jab, switching stance now makes sparring feel really awkward, as I do most drilling with a left foot forward.

The question is this: How do I know if I am ready to start training with the other lead forward? This doesn't seem like a priority in most of the places i am training, and so i doubt the coaches/sensei is watching me saying "ALRIGHT, NOW YOU ARE READY TO FIGHT WITH A DIFFERENT STANCE" hell at one of the places, he said that one of the straight blast coaches he worked with says to NEVER switch stances. And i see him leaning in that direction.

So as an individual, how do I know when it is time to play with switching stance?

This is particularly why I love training in Jun Fan Gung Fu and Wing Chun along with all the other arts I do. It forces you to work in an unorthodox stance. Sure most people when sparring with stick to an orthodox stance, but being able to switch on a whim makes a pivotal part of any striking game. I say force yourself to train both. One of the things my instructors do is force us to switch lead during the drill. Meaning we throw the combination first in orthodox lead then vice versa. I have found this to be an exceptional way of training both leads and I hope it helps you.

This is particularly why I love training in Jun Fan Gung Fu and Wing Chun along with all the other arts I do. It forces you to work in an unorthodox stance. Sure most people when sparring with stick to an orthodox stance, but being able to switch on a whim makes a pivotal part of any striking game. I say force yourself to train both. One of the things my instructors do is force us to switch lead during the drill. Meaning we throw the combination first in orthodox lead then vice versa. I have found this to be an exceptional way of training both leads and I hope it helps you.

If you read through these old threads, you will see a vast differing of opinion and it will be based on exposure, experience and skill-level.

Realistically, there isn't a right time. The right time will be when your coach tells you to switch, if at all. Your coach may never tell you to work the other side and then you will need to determine if it is because he is old school and doesn't think you should ever switch stance or if he doesn't think you are *ready* or adept enough to pull it off. Until then, work your hands the way you are told to and that will speed up the transition....or at the very worst, make you better.